Liana's POV:
I was sitting on the couch with Alena on my lap. We were having chips, and to my embarrassment, she was watching and listening to some of my songs.
I sighed and leaned back as Alena grabbed the edge of my shirt and, with her little careful hands, wiped her mouth.
I raised a brow, watching her wiggle happily on my lap. That tiny smile of victory on her face after dirtying my shirt...
I chuckled at her cuteness. Such a cute little thing. I tickled her sides and nuzzled into her hair, breathing in her scent.
She smells like a baby… I frowned at my own thought. She is a baby, Liana. What are you even thinking?
Alena pouted and stuck her tongue out at me. "Angel… don't disturb me…"
I laughed and lifted my left hand in surrender while supporting her with my right hand. "Okay, okay…"
She giggled and leaned forward to kiss my cheek before turning her attention back to the TV.
I smiled faintly and glanced around the room. "Alright, cutie, let me put you down for a second."
But she shook her head immediately, "Nope. Mumma said not to let you get up."
I poked her cheeks gently. "Cutie… I need water. I'll be back soon, okay?" I settled her on the couch and started toward the kitchen. But I stopped midway when I heard a knock at the door.
I exhaled through my mouth, already irritated. Didn't I ask to be left alone with Ethilia today?
It was already evening, and I hadn't talked to her properly since morning. I won't lie if I say I was sulking.
With a huff, I walked to the door and opened it. To my surprise, it was one of my old friends from the company I work in as an idol. And this one had once proposed to me. Of course, I had refused her. I'm loyal, after all.
She smiled widely and handed me a bouquet of red roses before pulling me into a hug. I hugged her back, patting her shoulder lightly.
"Sweetheart, I missed you so much at the studio. Honestly, I wanted to come here the moment I heard you were attacked, but the CEO didn't let me," she said, pulling back to kiss my cheek. I couldn't help but chuckle when I noticed her secretary was live-streaming.
I hummed and gestured toward the living room. "Come inside, and…" I raised a brow with a smirk. "No house tour today, so maybe turn that off?" I gestured for the live stream to be turned off.
She laughed and actually ended the live before stepping in. I guided them to the couch, and she sat down while her secretary stayed standing beside her. I sat across from them, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alena staring at Laura with a little frown.
I smiled softly and ruffled Alena's hair. Laura waved at her before turning to me and taking my hand. I hesitated, but I didn't pull away... maybe because she was a guest or maybe because I just didn't want to make her upset.
She leaned closer and whispered softly, "Umm… so when are you coming back? Everyone's waiting for you, and especially..."
Before she could finish, Char walked in. Her eyes widened the moment she saw Laura. Laura's eyes lit up seeing Char.
"Hey, my crime partner!" Laura jumped up with open arms.
Char grinned and hurried to her, hugging her tight. For a moment, they looked so close, almost like a couple. I couldn't help but laugh and clear my throat.
"I swear, if fans saw this, they'd start shipping you two instead of Liana and Laura. My ship would sink before it even set sail." I teased them. Yes, Laura and I were being shipped since we showed up at an award show together.
Char laughed and smacked my arm lightly. "Shut up. I still ship you guys," she teased, and Laura giggled along.
Then Char turned toward Alena. "Hey, Alena's here! How about we start our trio reunion upstairs in Liana's room?"
I bit my lip and glanced toward the kitchen. What on earth is Ethilia even doing in there?
I hadn't seen her since the morning. Was she avoiding me? The thought stung more than I wanted to admit.
Still, before I could dwell on it, Laura had already taken my hand and started pulling me upstairs. I let out a quiet sigh and decided to just focus on the reunion, but my thoughts refused to listen.
She'd been so sweet last night… what did I do wrong that she's suddenly avoiding me?
My heart clenched. I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. Being an idol, I've mastered the art of hiding what I feel. So I smiled, even when my heart felt like it was cracking in silence.
Am I not worth your love, Lia? Am I really that unworthy?
As I sat down, my hands trembled slightly, so I rested them on my lap, crossing one leg over the other to appear calm.
I took a slow breath and tried to focus on Char and Laura's lively conversation... About new ships, studio rumors, and the noise of the industry. But my mind kept drifting back to Ethilia… and the way my heart longed for her.
Slowly, between the chaos of Laura and Char's mischievous conversation, I started to relax. I laughed along with them, pretending not to feel the ache inside. Pretending I didn't miss Ethilia so much.
She really doesn't care, right?
"Well," Laura grinned, leaning closer, "a new ship's been sailing in the industry."
I raised a brow, leaning in playfully. "Who?"
Char smirked and leaned back on her hands. We were sitting on the bed. I was leaning against the headboard, and Laura was beside me while Char was across from us.
"Ashley and Liana," Laura whispered dramatically, moving even closer just to tease me.
I snorted and flicked her forehead. "In your dreams. She's my friend, a really good one and, well… kind of a bodyguard too."
Char cleared her throat with that familiar mischievous look. "Bodyguard, huh?" She turned to Laura with her wicked grin, "You get that, Laura?"
Laura hummed, wrapping one arm around my shoulder. "The one who guards the body," she said, dragging out the last word.
My jaw dropped, and a helpless laugh escaped my lips. Within seconds, all three of us burst out laughing. For a moment, I forgot about the sadness I was feeling.
Laura suddenly wrapped both her arms around me in a friendly hug. I smiled and hugged her back. And just then, the door creaked open.
We didn't pull apart immediately, since it wasn't anything inappropriate. But Char cleared her throat and muttered, "Laura, leave Liana before someone kills you with their eyes."
Hearing Char, Laura broke the hug and looked at Char in confusion... until we both turned to the door. My eyes widened, and my stomach dropped.
Ethilia was standing with an unreadable expression and an angry glare, which was directed toward me more than Laura.